Dear First Time Mama, Welcome to motherhood. Whether you prayed and planned your whole life for this moment or were unexpectedly thrust into this role there are a few things I would love to share with you. There were so many truths I didn’t understand as a first-time mama. These are the truths people don’t talk about enough. […]

Every once in a while, when you least expect it, you are reminded why being a mother is a gift (aka doesn’t suck). I was rubbing my neck trying to steal a few minutes at the computer after a very long day of sitting outside on a freezing windy field to watch my oldest son […]

Twenty-three children died and many more were injured this summer after being left unattended in a hot car, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NTSA). Sometimes these heat stroke deaths and injuries occur when a child gets into an unlocked vehicle to play unbeknownst to the parent. Other times (54% according to KidsandCars.org) a […]

Is your child a terror at home, but a complete angel in public? Do you wonder why your child always devolves in a puddle after entering your house? Perhaps your child is a “House Devil, Street Angel.” Out of my four children, one is always testing my patience. For the first four years of his […]

The children were squealing in delight as they arrived at our beach rental home, which included an in-ground swimming pool in the backyard. Four families with 10 children combined had waited for this day since booking the vacation home nearly six months ago (read Vacationing Family Style). We didn’t realize that within 10 minutes of arriving, we would […]

Four couples, ten children, sand, surf, a pool, and competitive corn hole at midnight. This is our vacation with friends at the Outer Banks. For three years now, we have been renting a house in Nags Head, NC for a week of fun in the sun with the kids by day and grown-up games by […]

Do your children fight over toys? Are you constantly being put in the middle of arguments? Are you tired of playing referee? On DC Metro Mom, I offer my best real-world advice from the trenches of my daycare to teach your children to resolve their own conflicts. I truly believe less is more when it comes […]

At the beginning of each month, my husband and I sit at our kitchen table and map out our family calendar. From various sport events, school activities, family obligations, birthday parties, and weekend excursions, we often find ourselves – like many families I know –happily over scheduled. We fill out our Google calendars that sync […]

Every day I nurse wounds, I hug, I problem solve, I teach, I lead by example, I laugh, and I give my heart to the children in my care. I am fiercely protective of these children. I try, sometimes really hard, to find the good and beauty in each child. There are days I get […]

This weekend I did something I haven’t done in a really long time – years in fact. I hopped on a plane alone and spent the weekend away from my children and my husband just to get away (yes, you can judge me but I know it’s just the jealousy talking). The truth is I […]

Hello! Let Me Introduce Myself…

My name is Nicole Dash and I am a mother of four (two boys and two girls) living outside Washington, DC in Northern Virginia. Tiny Steps Mommy is my heartfelt blog about life, family and finding yourself amid the chaos.
I have always considered myself a writer. Even when I wasn’t producing a word, I knew in my heart that I was a writer. I … Click to Learn More